Amid the news vacuum that Romney created with his speech this week is a detailed look at the ground games in Iowa by Politico. Jonathan Martin was tasked with taking on the Romney and Huckabee camps. I'll have more in this later. For now, take the first paragraphs from each piece. It gives you a good idea about the massive differential between the campaigns:

ON MITT: "Mitt Romney has built the most formidable Iowa operation of any GOP presidential candidate on what might be described as three legs of a campaign stool: time on the ground, top local talent and cold, hard cash."

ON HUCKABEE: "Either Eric Woolson is a master at lowering expectations or Mike Huckabee is taking a gigantic gamble that his skeletal Iowa organization can still somehow earn a victory on Jan. 3. "

Its obvious from the NIE blindside earlier this week that Huckabee is clearly lacking in staff (or at least needs to pull up Drudge every now and then on the Blackberry). But the INS craziness today points to something different altogether.

Regardless, Huckabee is a threat to Romney. But I believe the speech will do some good in the next week. As Mike's rise has shown... anything can happen now that people are paying attention.

The AP is reporting that in 1992 Huckabee "once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure."

He also wrote in the 1992 questionnaire "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

Taken a decade earlier these comments could have come from anyone but as the AP notes:

When Huckabee wrote his answers in 1992, it was common knowledge that AIDS could not be spread by casual contact. In late 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 195,718 AIDS patients in the country and that 126,159 people had died from the syndrome.

Drudge currently has this as his lead headline and Politico had this to say:

The revelations could dampen the enthusiasm for the candidacy of Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, because the language clashes with his image as a compassionate, sunny leader.

...

The report is a second distraction at a time when Huckabee has tied or passed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in polls in Iowa. A Newsweek poll of likely Iowa caucus-goers taken Wednesday and Thursday found Huckabee leading Romney by a two-to-one margin, 39 percent to 17 percent. Newsweek’s last poll, in late September, had Huckabee at 6 percent and Romney at 25 percent.

It also could cause Republican voters to reevaluate whether he would be effective at winning swing voters in a general election that looks trying for the GOP.

Drudge's link to the Politico story:
GAME-CHANGE IN GOP RACE?

Thoughts?

Labels: mike huckabee

Home »  Blogs » From The Road December 7, 2007, 1:01 PM Thompson vs. Huckabee on Iran Posted by John Bentley | 2 (CBS) From CBS News' John Bentley: COLUMBUS, OHIO -- At a news conference that just wrapped up, Fred Thompson was asked what he thought of Mike Huckabee drawing a blank when asked about recent reports about the National Intelligence Estimate re: Iran. "Not only is Iran the major long-term threat to our country, the nuclear program is the most important part of the Iran consideration. For a presidential candidate not to know that and not to keep up with that is very suprising," said Thompson. "These are the kinds of things I've been talking about all of my life. Now, if the American people have other priorities, if they want someone who smiles a lot more than I do, or someone who is a better quipster than I am, who has no experience in these areas, that's for the American people to decide." Thompson is now en route to Davenport, Iowa. Read More Posts In Fred Thompson Kequin22 says: "...When asked by Don Imus about serious Foriegn policy questions he gave a joke instead of a serious answer...

A quick break from the well-deserved Romney nods.

What is this about!?>>>>>

The Amos Trust, a UK-based non-profit group, is marketing "a nativity set with a difference - this year the wise men won't get to the stable."

The sets are made by carpenters in Palestine. Essentially, this is a kind of protest against the wall that Israel built to keep crazy radicals from blowing up their people.

Here's what CNS reported:

"Garth Hewitt, director of the Amos Trust, said Wednesday his group wants to use the wooden sets to make people aware of what is happening, including how the Christian population of Bethlehem is rapidly shrinking.

"We're worried about the entire community there," he said. "They're trapped behind the wall there. It's like a medieval siege."

Forget the fact that over 2000 people have probably been spared because of the wall.... this is the perfect mix: Christmas and crazy nationalist protests.

It seems what we have a real humdinger coming out of Team Huckabee:

"It was a wise move on his part," said Chuck Hurley, a pro-family Christian activist and former Iowa legislator. "He is a gifted speaker and I would guess he will have mollified some people's concerns. But the more people investigate the beginnings of the Mormon church, the more uneasy they will be, and there's nothing he can do about that." Empahsis mine.

This is from the Des Moines Register article that Rett posted a couple posts down.

Something the Des Moines Register seems to have failed to cover was this: Hurley gave this quote the same day Huckabee accepted Hurley's endorsement. Huckabee accepts this line of talk.

Huckabee is more interested in gaining votes by refusing to say Mormonism is not a Cult (which it clearly is not)...

Huckabee has been asked about this view that Mormonism is a cult. He dodges and dances. “If I’m invited to be the president of a theological school, that’ll be a perfectly appropriate question,” he says, “but to be the president of the United States, I don’t know that that’s going to be the most important issue that I’ll be facing when I’m sworn in.”… Link

[In other words yes, he thinks it is. How difficult could it be to say no?]


...and his wife is making the case that God has his hand on his campaign over others...

Janet Huckabee also admitted she is "very disappointed" in the National Right to Life's decision to endorse Thompson over her husband. "Mike has been a true Right to Life person,” she said. “He's marched in the Right to Life parades for 13 years. He's just been a big supporter pro-life legislation, and it was disappointing to him."

"God's a big God," Huckabee continued. "If he wants us to continue to go and to fight the giants, we'll do that. You remember Jesus feeding the 5,000 with two fishes and five loaves. So, we're multiplying our money. Every dollar spends like a thousand and every prayer we get is like a million bucks."

[Why does this remind me of a TBN telethon?]

Frankly this does little to help the GOP. If it does help Huckabee, it will be at Romney's expense short term, the party's expense long term. This isn't an Evangelical party, it's not a Catholic Party and it's certainly not a Mormon Party, It's the party of people with Conservative ideals. With Huckabee we become the party of "Born Again" salvation, mixed with a little populism, liberal fiscal policy and nanny statism. That is not a winning game plan against Dems, short term and long term. They already beat us on the liberal part, and we become a party of a single religion is truely limiting.

Do I disagree with Evangelical theology? You betcha. It's completely contrary to what I believe. Do I feel the need to say it disqualifies one from office? Nope. Even if it could help my candidate in the short term, it hurts our party and society in the long term to exclude people based on a religious test.

Apparently though, this type of strategic exclsusivity is on the minds of Huckabee supporters:

That wasn't enough for the Rev. Frank Cook, pastor of Union Park Baptist Church in Des Moines, who remains unconvinced that Romney would make a good president.

"He was doing the Potomac two-step around the issues that concern many evangelicals," Cook said. "Most evangelicals, including myself and my church, agree with Governor Romney's stand on most moral issues in our country. Our objection with his candidacy is not so much with his public stance as it is with how the Mormon faith has tried to disguise the tenets of their faith." Link

In other words, Huckabee is moving up because he is attracting supporters like Rev. Cook who want a Evangelical vs. Mormon game. And unfortunately, he seems all to happy to play that card of bigotry.

Amid the news vacuum that Romney created with his speech this week is a detailed look at the ground games in Iowa by Politico. Jonathan Martin was tasked with taking on the Romney and Huckabee camps. I'll have more in this later. For now, take the first paragraphs from each piece. It gives you a good idea about the massive differential between the campaigns:

ON MITT: "Mitt Romney has built the most formidable Iowa operation of any GOP presidential candidate on what might be described as three legs of a campaign stool: time on the ground, top local talent and cold, hard cash."

ON HUCKABEE: "Either Eric Woolson is a master at lowering expectations or Mike Huckabee is taking a gigantic gamble that his skeletal Iowa organization can still somehow earn a victory on Jan. 3. "

Its obvious from the NIE blindside earlier this week that Huckabee is clearly lacking in staff (or at least needs to pull up Drudge every now and then on the Blackberry). But the INS craziness today points to something different altogether.

Regardless, Huckabee is a threat to Romney. But I believe the speech will do some good in the next week. As Mike's rise has shown... anything can happen now that people are paying attention.

Labels: Jonathan Martin, mitt romney, Politico

Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Not Politically Correct." The ad highlights Governor Romney's record of fighting for conservative principles in the bluest of blue states. When it was not politically correct, Governor Romney stood up for life, required English in the classroom and fought for marriage as between a man and a woman. Governor Romney believes that we can strengthen America by bringing pro-family, conservative change to Washington.

The ad will be airing as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa. Script and viewing links are below.

Script For "Not Politically Correct" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER: "When it wasn't politically correct, he stood up for life in Massachusetts.

"When it wasn't politically correct, he fought for English in the classroom.

"When it wasn't politically correct, he said marriage should be between a man and a woman."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "You strengthen the American people by strengthening the American family.

"Marriage must come before children, because every child deserves a mother and a father."

ANNOUNCER: "A stronger America."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

To watch "Not Politically Correct," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718211

AD FACTS: Script For "Not Politically Correct" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER: "When it wasn't politically correct, he stood up for life in Massachusetts."

- Governor Romney Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Provided For The "Morning After Pill" Without A Prescription. (Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "Why I Vetoed The Contraception Bill," The Boston Globe, 7/26/05)

- Governor Romney Promoted Abstinence Education In The Classroom. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Announces Award Of Abstinence Education Contract," Press Release, 4/20/06)

- Governor Romney Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Changed The Longstanding Definition Of The Beginning Of Human Life From Fertilization To Implantation. (Governor Mitt Romney, Letter To The Massachusetts State Senate And House Of Representatives, 5/12/05)

- Governor Romney Supports Parental Notification Laws And Opposed Efforts To Weaken Parental Involvement. (John McElhenny, "O'Brien And Romney Spar In Last Debate Before Election," The Associated Press, 10/29/02)

- Governor Romney Supports Adult Stem Cell Research But Has Opposed Efforts To Advance Embryo-Destructive Research In Massachusetts. (Theo Emery, "Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Vetoes Stem Cell Bill," The Associated Press, 5/27/05)

- In May 2007, Governor Romney Was Awarded The 2007 Mullins Award For Outstanding Political Leadership By Massachusetts Citizens For Life. "Mitt Romney was a great Governor, who served with honor and distinction. But most importantly, he was a pro-life Governor. He vetoed a number of pro-abortion pieces of legislation and made many pro-life appointments. He was always there for us. He's a busy man these days and we are extra fortunate that he and his wife Ann could be with us. Governor, you have been an inspirational leader in many ways. And if I may say so, Mitt, you're looking very presidential. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming our friend, Governor Mitt Romney, to the podium as our 2007 Mullins Award Winner for Outstanding Political Leadership." (Kevin Jourdain, Remarks, Agawam, MA, 5/10/07)

ANNOUNCER: "When it wasn't politically correct, he fought for English in the classroom."

- Governor Romney Fought Efforts To Weaken Massachusetts' English Immersion Law. "But yesterday, Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said the governor will fight all attempts to slow the implementation of English immersion, known on the ballot as Question 2. ? 'He will veto anything that weakens or delays English immersion,' Feddeman said." (Anand Vaishnav, "Romney Firm On English Timetable," The Boston Globe, 1/24/03)

- In 2003, Governor Romney Line-Item Vetoed A Provision That Would Have Created "A Major Loophole" In Massachusetts' English Immersion Law. "Specific vetoes include language that would have: ? Changed the English immersion ballot initiative to permit 'two-way' bilingual programs, creating a major loophole in the new law." (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Signs No New Tax Budget In Time For New Fiscal Year," Press Release, 6/30/03)

ANNOUNCER: "When it wasn't politically correct, he said marriage should be between a man and a woman." GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "You strengthen the American people by strengthening the American family. Marriage must come before children, because every child deserves a mother and a father." ANNOUNCER: "A stronger America." GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

- On The Same Day That The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Legalized Same-Sex Marriage, Governor Romney Called For A State Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage As Between A Man And A Woman. "I disagree with the Supreme Judicial Court. Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman. I will support an amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to make that expressly clear." (Office Of The Governor, "Statement By Governor Mitt Romney On SJC Decision On Same Sex Marriage," Press Release, 11/18/03)

- Eventually, 170,000 People Signed A Petition For A Constitutional Amendment, Including Governor Romney. "Backers of a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts have shattered a 20-year-old record for the most certified signatures ever gathered in support of a proposed ballot question. ? The petition drew the signatures of Governor Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann; former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran, now the president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council; and former Boston mayor Raymond L. Flynn." (Raphael Lewis, "Petition Vs. Gay Marriage Advances," The Boston Globe, 12/22/05)

- When The Legislature Would Not Vote On The Amendment, Governor Romney Filed Suit To Force A Vote. "Governor Mitt Romney and a group of Massachusetts residents asked the state's highest court yesterday to override the Legislature and let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriage, accusing legislative leaders of violating the state constitution by refusing to act on the proposal." (Jonathan Saltzman, "Marriage Vote Suit Delivered To SJC," The Boston Globe, 11/25/06)

- Massachusetts Family Institute Kris Mineau: "From the onset of the infamous Goodridge court decision in 2003, Governor Romney has opposed same-sex marriage and, I believe, correctly sought to overturn it through a constitutional amendment." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "An Early Massachusetts Primary," National Review, 1/10/07)

- National Review's John Miller: "Whatever the outcome, there's no denying that Romney has pulled every lever within his reach to defend traditional marriage." (John J. Miller, "Matinee Mitt," National Review, 6/20/05)

- Governor Romney Is The Only Major Republican Candidate Supporting The Federal Marriage Amendment. MSNBC's JOE SCARBOROUGH: "Any other major Republican candidates support the marriage amendment?" GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "You know, I don't think that Rudy or Fred or John McCain support the marriage amendment and I think they're in error on that one." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," www.youtube.com, 9/14/07)

- In June 2004, Governor Romney Testified To Congress In Support Of The Federal Marriage Amendment. "Society can ill afford erosion of charitable institutions. For these reasons, I join with those who support a federal constitutional amendment. Some may retreat from the concept of amendment. While they say they agree with the traditional definition of marriage, they hesitate to amend. But amendment is a vital and necessary aspect of our constitutional democracy, not an aberration." (Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Testimony, 6/22/04)

- Governor Romney Wrote To All 100 U.S. Senators Urging Passage Of The Federal Marriage Amendment. "Next week, you will vote on a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution protecting the institution of marriage. As Governor of the state most directly affected by this amendment, I hope my perspectives will encourage you to vote 'yes.'" (Governor Mitt Romney, Letter To U.S. Senators, 6/2/06)

To watch "Not Politically Correct," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718211

Reactions to the Romney Speech are overwhelmingly positive. Below is a quick sampling.

Jim Geraghty:

Reactions to Romney's speech continue, in the morning papers, in the Corner, around the blogosphere, in my e-mailbox, etc. The upside for Mitt Romney is that indeed, he has managed to command the spotlight for an entire week in a way that few candidates have in this campaign. And while some people were more impressed with the speech than others, there aren't many